Circuit breaker



Jan. 9, 1923. 1,441,744. w. F. PALMER.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

' FILED MAY \3, 1920.

gm'uaw foz Patented Jan. 9, W23.

u N i s r s- WAYNE F. PALMER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 03: COLUMBIA.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

Application filed May 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WAYNE F. PALMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at WVashington, District ofColumbia, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Circuit Breakers, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates'to circuit breakers and will hereinafter bedescribed with relation to its application to breaking the electricalcircuit in a submarine mine in order to prevent countermining, althoughit is, of course, understood that it is applicable 3 to other uses, andwith slight modifications, as will be hereinafter explained, could beadapted to affect mechanically the firing mechanism to prevent operationthereof under similar circumstances. 1

One of the objects of the present inven tion is to provide a reliableand efficient circuit breaker of the above character which may beinexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide a simple and practical circuit breaker ofthe above type which may be easily controlled, adjusted and set forpredetermined requirements.

A further object is to provide certain safety features and safetydevices to prevent countermining with more certainty than has heretoforebeen possible.

A further object is to provide an efficient circuit breaker which willbe active over a long period and whose usefulness will not be determinedby a spring mechanism or other exhaustible means.

A further object is to provide an efficient circuit breaker that willfunction continually through a series of countermining blows and whoseprotection will be additive.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointedout.-

One of the various possible embodiments of the invention is shown in theannexed sheet of drawings, formin a part of this specification, whereina single figure illustrates the complete circuit breaker in longitudinalsection.

Referring now to this drawing in detail,

a main body member 1 of metal or other suitable material is adapted tobe secured in any desired manner as by screw threads 2 into the shell ofthe main casing 3. This body member is provided at its lower part with aflange A on which a ring 5 is seated.

1920. Serial No. 381,288.

' This ring is provided with screw threads 6 forated spider 11threadedly connected at 12with the body member 1 and carries aprotecting casing 14: at the top. The spider member 11 is provided witha sleeve 15 through which slides the diaphragm supporting member 16which in turn supports a flexible diaphragm 17 the outer edge of whichis clamped between the spider 11 and body portion 1. A nut 18 holds thecentral part of the diaphragm in place. The upper part of the member 16is 'threadedand pro-' vided with lock nuts 20 which permit a con venientadjustment for limiting the movement' of the member 16 when subjected topressures. Likewise, the threaded sleeve 15 also permits an" adjustmentof the diaphragm to the desired pressure corresponding to the estimatedpressure which will be exerted upon themine when at a predetermineddepth. At the top of the member 16 is a threaded screw or other plug 21"for filling the chamber beneath the diaphragm which is encompassed by acollapsible metallic bellows 22. The opposite ends of the tubular memberare closed at one end by means of threaded-cap 23 which supports a valvemember 24 normally held in closed position by spring 25 acting betweenthe head of the valve and a seat 26. Secured to this member23 is asecond metallic bellows member 27, the opposite end of which rests upona ring 28 supported by a stem 30. This stem 30 passes through a cap 31closing the lower end of the tubular member 7 and is provided with acentral opening through which the outer end of the stem passes. This endcarries a contact member 32 adapted to electrically connect two contactpoints 38 held in yielding engagement therewith by springs 34:. Oppositebinding wardly to hold a tubular member of sleeve 'plos-ion of the mine.

of the two forces.

42 in engagement with the under side of the member 26 of the valvecasing.

It will be understood that both metallic bellows or the chambers formedthereby are filled with any desired fluid, such as kerosene, which doesnot have'a corrosive I action upon the metals and which will not freezeat low temperatures.

Before going into a statement of the operation of the device, it may bestated that in countermining operations a relatively large charge isexploded in the vicinity of the mine and the disturbance resultingtherefrom is transmitted to the'liring mechanism these forces isutilized by this invention to prevent premature firing due to the secondIn. other words, the detonating of a large mass 01 explosive be neaththe water produces two independent effects, separated by a, smallinterval of time and it is during this interval of time that theelectric circuit of the mine is broken, thereby ellminatmg any posslbleaction oi the detonator under such circumstances.

In operation the threaded sleeve 15 is screwed down upon the upper partor" the diaphragm backing member 16 to exert a compressive action on thefluid within the metallic bellows 22 corresponding substantially to theestimated hydrostatic pressure that will be exerted thereon when themine is submerged to a predetermined depth. The adjusting nuts 20 arethen moved to the proper position to PIOVhlJ a limited amount of playbetween this sleeve 15' and the lower nut 20. The pressure exerted onthe liquid within the metallic bellows 22 will, of course, betransmitted through the spring actuated valve 24 to produce acorresponding pressure upon the liquid therein. The spring il, however,is so tensioned as to hold the stop member 4-2 in engagement with theunder side of the valve member even at this adjusted compression. Thesmall compression of spring ll due to errors in setting sleeve 15 andthe resultant tendency of the bridge to break electric connection isabsorbed by spring contacts 33. The ratio between the diaphragm 1'? andthe diaphragm 27 may be varied as desired. It is preferred, however,that this ratio shouldv be about five to one so that moving of thediaphragm l7 downward one-tenth of an inch will proeanna 'duce amovement of the diaphragm .27 live times that amount or one-half of aninch.

'lVhen' a counterinining operation is undertaken the initial effect otthe explosion, or the first compressive action on the water around themine, will move this diaphragm l7 (lGJVDWtLitl at least one-tenth of aninch thereby increasi the pressure on the liquid therein. This pressureis transmitted through the valve member 24: to the inner metallicbellows and causes a downward movement of the diaphragm 27 aproportional amount thus carrying the contact member orbridg'e piece outoi? engagement with the yielding contacts 33.

Should the mine now be sub'ected to any torcethat mighttend to lire itprematurely,

itwill be without effect. After the passing of the counterminingdisturbances, the pressure in the vicinity 01 the mine will return tothe normal hydrostatic pressure. Diaphragm 17 will tend to return to thenormal and the liquid in bellows and 27 will likewise tend to return tothe external hydrostatic pressure. This return to a condition ofequilibrium is, however, delayed for a predetermined time by seepagevalve 24-. 'ihe bridging oitthe two electric contacts'33 by member 32 isdelayed and the n'une con- ,tinuessafe'until normal conditions exist.

It is believed from the above that the construction, the method of use,and the operation will be clear to those skilled in the art will sofully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applyingcurrent knowlreadily adapt it for various applications bout omittingcertain features that, from the standpoint oi. the prior art, fairlyconstitute essential clniracteristics of the generic or specific aspectsof this invention. and, therefore, such adaptations should and areintended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalencyoi the following claims.

lVhat I claim is 1. In device of the character described, incombination,firing mechanism communicating chambers adapted to be filled withliquids, a diaphra associated with each of said chambers in suc ratiothat a movement of one diaphragm will cause a corresponding movement ofthe other diaphragm and means associated with one or said diaphragmsadapted to be moved thereby and l'li ' ment of said other diaphragm andthe parts l-fldlfie I one having a collapsible 'diaphragm, theotherrigid, and communicating one with the other, a member associated withoneof said diaphragms and adapted to be moved thereby, said diaphragmsbeingso proportioned that a'relative movement-of one diaphragm will cause acorresponding increase moveconnected therewith.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, twochamberlike members arranged in operative relation to each other, eachhaving a diaphragm and communicating one with the other, a memberassociated with one or said diaphragms and adapted to be movedthereby,saiddiaphragm being so proportioned that a relative movement of saidother diaphragm and the parts connected therewith, and means foradjusting the extent of movement of one of said diaphragms.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, an electricalcircuit having a movable circuit breaking member, two chamber-likemembers associated with each other, a diaphragm associated with eachchamber, one of said diaphragms being connected with said circuitbreaking member, said diaphragms being so proportioned that a slightmovement of the larger diaphragm will cause a correspondingly increasedmovement of the second diaphragm and the circuit breaking memberassociated therewith.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, twochamber-like members associated one within the other, diaphragmsassociated with each member, collapsible metallic bellows connectingsaid diaphragms, a valve interposed between said members whereby a fluidmay pass freely from one to,

the other in one direction, a circuit breaking member connected with oneof said diaphragms whereby a movement of one diaphragm will cause aproportional movement of the other diaphragm and the circuit breakingmember associated therewith.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, twochamber-like members associated one within the other, diaphragmsassociated with each member, collapsible metallic bellows connectingsaid diaphragms, a valve interposed between said members whereby a fluidmay pass freely from one to the other in one direction, acircuitbreaking member connected with one of said diaphragms whereby amovement of one diaphragm will cause a proportional movement of theother diaphragm and the circuit breaking member associated therewith andmeans for rest ring said parts to normal condition.

1. in a device of the character described,

in combination, two chamber-likemembers associated one within the other,diaphragms associated with each member, collapsible metallic bellowsconnecting said diaphragms, valve interposed between said memberswhereby afiuid may pass "freely from one to the other in one direction,a circuit breale 'ing member connected with one of said diaphragmswhereby-a movement of one diaphragm will cause a proportional movementof the other diaphragm and the circuit breaking member associatedtherewith and means tor ad usting the extent of movement of said'diaphragms.

8: In a device of the character described,

in combination, two chamber-like members associated one withinthe'other, diaphragms associated with each member, collapsible metallicbellows connecting said diaphragms, a valve interposed between saidmembers whereby a fluid may pass freely from one to the other in onedirection, a'circuit breaking member connected with one of saiddiaphragms whereby a movement of one diaphragm will cause a proportionalmovement or" the other diaphragm and the circuit breaking memberassociated therewith and means for setting one of said diaphragms to apredetermined pressure.

9. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a firing mechanism, a body member forming a chamber, ametallic bellows and dlaphragm within said chamber adapted to besubjected to hydrostatic pres-' sures, a second chamber having ametallic bellows and diaphragm associated therewith, a valve connectionbetween said chame bers through which pressure is transmitted from oneto the other and a member adapted to be associated with a firingmechanism of a mine adapted to be moved on movement of said seconddiaphragm.

10. in a device of the character described, in combination, a firingmechanism, a body member forming a chamber, a metallic bellows anddiaphragm within said chamber adapted to be subjected to hydrostaticpressures, a second chamber having a metallic bellows and diaphragmassociated therewith, a valve connection between said chambers throughwhich pressure is transmitted from one to the other and a member adaptedto be associated with a firing mechanism of a mine adapted to be movedon movement of said second diaphragm, said diaphragm being of differentsize whereby the movement of said last mentioned member is proportionalto the movement of said first mentioned diaphragm.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a bodymember forming a chamber, a metallic bellows and diaphragm within saidchamber adapted to be subjected to hydrostatic pressures, a secondchamber having a metallic bellows and diaphragm associated therewith, avalve connection between said chambers through which pressure istransmitted from one to the other and a member adapted to be associatedwi h a firing mechanism of a mine adapted to be moved on movement ofsaid second diaphragm, said diaphragm being of diiierent size wherebythe movement of said last mentioned member is proportional to themovementv of said first mentioned diaphragm, and means for adjustingsaid disures, a second chamber having a metallic bellows and diaphragmassociated therewith, a valve connection between said chamhere throughwhich pressure is transmitted from one to the other and a member adaptedto be associated with a firing mechanism of a mine adapted to be movedon movement of said second diaphragm, said diaphragm being of differentsize whereby the movement of said last mentioned member is proportionalto the movement of said first mentioned diaphragm, and meansfor limitingthe movement of said first mentioned diaphragm.

Signed at Washington, District of Columbia, this 9th day of December,1919.

XVAYNE F. PALE 115R.

